180 rimless glass or 180 topless acrylic?

[CTaylor]

Hi,

I really like rimless tanks. I'm looking now to see about a 180 6foot x 2 foot x 2foot (maybe 20" tall instead). The negatives I seen about acrylic is they can bow, there is distortion on viewing through it (??) << I thought it would be less distortion actually; that it WILL YELLOW over time (esp with my Kessil 360 lights); EASILY scratched. And it will need some type of bracing along the top. << I'm told by a maker of them that I woudl get it from that it would be a 3" brace along the top (he knows I want the look as much as I can of a rimless).

He give a 3 year warranty... the 150 was a really good price he quoted me on, and i assume the 180 would be good also. It was not much more than a glass. He might be giving a good price b/c we have a mutual good friend. He only does acrylic tanks, not glass. So I was thinking maybe it won't yellow at all noticeably for many years, and maybe it won't bow -- I have the warranty. He was going to use 3/4 " acrylic for the 150. I guess thicker for a 180. I can probably deal with trying my hardest to not scratch it. I know the bottom panel will scratch, not a big deal as i will never see it. We already figured out a way to clamp the kessils to the tank back to still give the spot light look I like without hanging from the ceiling.

Should I go for a 150/180 rimless glass or a 3" rim acrylic? Assuming similar price? Is it possible the acrylic really will not yellow for many years? And it is even clearer than starphire? And it weighs 1/2 as same size glass tank?
**Are acrylic tanks generally more leak proof than glass?

Thanks!

 

[GSMclowns]

Doesn't matter how hard you try not to scratch it, you will scratch the acrylic tank sooner or later. and it is quite easy to scratch Acrylic. Glass tank can be scratched also, but just harder. Anyway, if your Acrylic material is good, there shouldn't be any yellowing or anything. My friend's tank is 280 gallons (6'x30"x30") made out of 3/4" acrylic. Its been 4 years now and no yellowing and no bowling at all. and it is quite light as well. 4 of us weakling were able to pick that tank up easily and moved it around. 150 or 180 gallons isn't that big at all nor too heavy to move. Go with glass tank. For small tank, glass is much better and have more advantages.

 

[ReefEco]

Hey there - I don't want to start a acrylic vs. glass debate - there are legitimate fans of both. For me, I used to have acrylic tanks, including making my own, and honestly the scratches (no matter how hard you try, you WILL scratch it) drove me insane. They are lighter than glass, if you go low-iron the clarity is comparable, so no upside there. As for yellowing, most uv-stabilized cast acrylic, which is what should be used in a tank, is guaranteed against yellowing for 10 years (per TAP Plastics), which is probably beyond the life of a typical tank anyway. All that said, the scratches are the kicker for me, and really detract from viewing pleasure and in general an omni-present anxiety when working on the tank. Well-made acrylic tanks probably have an edge in not leaking since the "seams" are essentially solvent bonded and one piece , but a well-made glass tank can be just as strong. You can scratch glass too, but not nearly as easily. I'm looking at a new AGE tank for my ~300 build, which features steel frames for strength. Rimless is a great look too...

 

[hart24601]

Big (180g plus) acrylic tanks were popular here around 10 ish years ago. Many people in my local club bought them and many were installed into walls. I have never owned acrylic but every single person, yes every one that I talked with that is still in the club regrets not getting glass. The FW folks seem happier with them.

Take it for what it's worth - just my experience talking with owners in person around here.

 

[CTaylor]

Hi everyone,
THis is all really good info. I wish this guy made glass tanks. I guess not b/c I understnd glass work is a LOT more involved. He has been really helpful and really good price, so it's hard to say no. But I really appreciate the input here, as now Im much more leaning to glass (again)! . Maybe I can have him make the stand at least.